Transport and Telecommunications Minister Brian Mushimba has announced that his ministry has been granted approval by Cabinet to introduce a converged licencing framework in the sector.
Mr Mushimba said the new licencing framework will inevitably open up the telecommunications market beyond the current three mobile operators.
He said the new framework will further ensure provision of value for money through improved quality of services in a competitive environment.
Mr Mushimba added that the new licensing framework aims at deepening competition, maximising network utilisation and supporting innovation in the provision of ICT services in Zambia.
He was speaking in Parliament on Tuesday when he presented a ministerial statement on the ICTs and E-Government.
The Minister revealed that the total number of active mobile network subscribers today stands at 12 million representing 75 per cent mobile penetration.
Mr Mushimba also announced that Government has completed the construction of a tier three National Data Centre that will provide local cloud services to the Government and the business community at commercial rates for data storage, management, manipulation and analysis.
He said an ICT Centre of Excellence has also been established to provide relevant ICT training and skills.
“The construction of the data centre is meant for businesses and enterprises not to invest in costly data centres themselves, but pay a reasonable fee for hosting services while they focus on their core business. This data centre is awaiting commissioning,” he announced.
Mr Mushimba also stated that Zambia has continued to witness the rollout of fibre optic throughout the country by the Government and the private sector.
“The country, through the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO), ZAMTEL and CEC Liquid Telecoms, has deployed a combined total of 12,000 km of fibre optic across the country. This has connected more than eighty-six districts to the nearest point of presence. The rolled out fibre has also inter-connected six countries, laying a foundation for Zambia to become a communications hub in the region, which will result in improved quality of communication services and also reduce the cost of communication,” he said.
Mr Mushimba also said that Government is also in the process of establishing a computer assembly plant in the Multi-Facility Economic Zone (MFEZ) whose main goal will be to assemble desktop computers, laptops and tablets, and to supply smart gadgets to Zambia and the region.
He said this will afford people reasonably priced ICT devices, which are a key enabler to increase citizen participation and inclusiveness in the digital economy.
Competition is good because it drives the price down which is beneficial to the consumer.
Be honest and just say that you want to grant a licence to Vodafone. A lot of lies told with too much jargon and no integrity.
We need competition in that sector so that customers benefit like we benefited when Dangote came in.
Comment:
Competition is needed in the sector. Providers that prove extravagant in their rates must be throttled out of the market.
Very good news indeed.
PF’s development agenda is quiet inspiring and we all need to render the necessary support. My appeal to UPND: please provide constructive opposition which will enhance your image to voters beyond your party members and increase your chances of forming government in future!
That is welcome but they should not be too many
For a couple of years now we have been hearing this song about fiber optic thing. Other countries that could have started with Zambia have now been enjoying the benefits of the fiber optic technology. Give us services not talk. Thank you
That is a good move honorable but these service providers are colluding. How do they have the same prices for data bundles anyway?? Why do the bundles expire whereas in other countries they don’t?? Then the service is poor from all these service providers, why?? My proposal is ZICTA needs to be reorganised first, then the Competition Commission needs more funding and/or better legislation to make it more effective.
Talk about new mobile phone operators ends in talk. The entry of more mobile phone operators makes good news. In fact, it was long overdue. Action speaks louder than words.
The ICT assembly plant is good news. The ICT sector is booming. But forgetting about electronic and electrical appliances is wrong. Even TV sets are needed. Even radio sets are needed. Even refrigerators are needed. Even mobile phones are needed.
I wonder sometimes why Zambians are less enthusiastic to comment on developmental news but are quick to comment on issues that are totally inconsequential to their livelyhoods.Just look ,only 10 comments since morning.I think we enjoy politicking too much and thats why development has continued to elude us 50 yrs after independence.
Hurry up ?!
We are tired of being subjected to poor networks and expensive data bundle prices.
At least two or three more networks can do. Others may help a lot where data services are concerned.
These guys must learn to talk when things are already in place.
This may take years to do. We should expect things to be seen after some years or not happen as announced.
The sooner Vodafone is allowed in the cheaper the data and calls and 10x better service than that useless scamming provider MTN. one only has to look at SA mtn where its cheap now because of competition and Zambia
wait this guys r stealing from zambians here in uk and europe v r being charged per min and very cheap so y go in with them just let every one get a lincenes to run